Surety bonds • South Carolina
South Carolina Auto Dealer Bond: $50,000 Requirement and Cost
South Carolina’s current dealer bond form sets a $50,000 bond for retail, wholesale, and recreational vehicle dealers, $25,000 for motorcycle dealers, and $15,000 for wholesale auction dealers. Published prices for the $50,000 bond start around $375 a year.
This guide covers bond amounts, who the bond protects, and cost. Blake Insurance Group is an independent agency, and a licensed agent can help with your bond and dealer insurance.
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Tell us your dealer license type, and a licensed agent will follow up. Submitting the form does not bind coverage.
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Bond amounts
| Dealer type | Bond amount |
|---|---|
| Retail, wholesale, and recreational vehicle dealers | $50,000 |
| Motorcycle and motorcycle wholesale dealers | $25,000 |
| Wholesale auction dealers | $15,000 |
Source: SCDMV bond form DL-A-1B (January 2026). Older versions of S.C. Code § 56-15-320 list a $30,000 bond, so confirm the amount with SCDMV when you apply.
Who the bond protects
- The bond covers loss suffered by a vehicle owner from fraud or fraudulent representations in a sale or transfer, or from violations of the dealer law.
- Total claims are capped at the bond amount.
- The surety can end its liability with 30 days’ written notice to SCDMV.
Source: S.C. Code § 56-15-320.
How much a South Carolina dealer bond costs
| Bond | Published price |
|---|---|
| $50,000 dealer or wholesaler | From $375 |
| $25,000 motorcycle dealer | From $188 |
| $15,000 wholesale auction | From $113 |
Prices published by SuretyBonds.com; rates depend on credit.
Bond vs. dealer insurance
The bond protects customers, not the dealership. Dealers usually also carry garage liability, dealer’s open lot, and commercial auto insurance. See our surety bond vs. insurance guide.
South Carolina auto dealer bond FAQs
How much is a South Carolina dealer bond?
$50,000 for retail, wholesale, and RV dealers on the current SCDMV form. Published prices start around $375 a year.
How much is a South Carolina motorcycle dealer bond?
$25,000.
Who does the South Carolina dealer bond protect?
Vehicle owners who suffer loss from fraud or violations of the dealer law.
Related guides
- South Carolina surety bonds
- North Carolina auto dealer bond
- Georgia auto dealer bond
- Commercial auto insurance
- Surety bonds
- Surety bond cost
- Surety bond cost calculator
- Buy a surety bond online
- License and permit bonds
- South Dakota auto dealer bond
- West Virginia auto dealer bond
- New Mexico auto dealer bond
- Nebraska auto dealer bond
- Kansas auto dealer bond
- Iowa auto dealer bond
- Oklahoma auto dealer bond
Important information
Compensation. The link in the partner quote box near the top of this page is sponsored, and Blake Insurance Group may be paid if you make a purchase. Sponsored placement does not affect the other information on this page.
Independent agency. Blake Insurance Group LLC is an independent insurance agency. Licensed insurance producer NPN 16944666. Licensed states: AZ, AL, TX, CA, NY, OH, FL, NC, VA, GA, OK, NM, IA, KS, MI, NE, SC, SD, WV, IL, NJ, PA, TN, and WA. Which insurance companies we can quote depends on our current appointments, the product, and your state. Mentioning a company on this page does not mean we represent it.
Cost figures. Published averages and ranges are cited from the sources named, as of the dates shown. They are not quotes and may not reflect your price, which depends on the insurer, the surety, your credit, the bond type, and underwriting.
Availability. Coverage, prices, discounts, and eligibility vary by insurer, state, and applicant, and are subject to underwriting. The issued policy controls.
Your next step
Tell us about your dealership, and a licensed agent will help with your South Carolina dealer bond, or start a bond quote online with our partner.
